Control system with remote set point adjustment and with remote indication



G. E. HOWARD Nov. 14, 1950 CONTROL SYSTEM WITH REMOTE SET POINT ADJUSTMENT AND WITH REMOTE INDICATION Filed Dec.

III'

Patented Nov. 14,

CONTROL SYSTEM WITH REMOTE SET POINT ADJUSTMENT AND WITH BE- MOTE INDICATION' George E. Howard, Gates, N. Y., mignonzuL Taylor Instrument Companies, Rochester, N. Y., a corporationof New York Application December *31, 1946, Serial No. `'119,509 T e claims. (cl. zas-51') This invention relates to a control system.

In the patent to Tate et al. 2,361,885 granted October 31, 1944, there is disclosed a controlling system together with suitable apparatus for use therein.

.The present'invention has for its purpose, improvements over said system and said apparatus whereby the control apparatus which is located at the process can be selectively adjusted from a' control panel located at a distant point and whereby the operation of the controlling apparatus is continually and pneumatically repeated at said panel.

`The various features and advantages of the invention will. appear from the detailed description and claims when taken with the drawing in which the system is shown diagrammatically, it being understood that the apparatus utilized therein may be similar in structure to that disclosed in the mentioned patent. V

Although the control system of the present invention is eiective in maintaining any one of a large number of different variables at substantially a given value, it will be described as applied to maintaining the temperature at a given value within a heating unit such as a heating bath 5. Steam for heating, is supplied to this bath through pipe t under the control of a pneumatically operated diaphragm motor valve 1. The valve 1 is throttled to adjust the necessary amounts of steam under the control of a combined recorder and controller comprising mechanism, preferably enclosed in a common instruof the bame lever' rests on a horizontally projecting pin 25, carried by the link 26 to be described. The baille 24 cooperates with the movable nozzle 21. In accordance with the well-known arrangement, compressed air is supplied through pipe 23 and orice 29 to the nozzle from which it escapes under the control of the baille 24. If the Atemperature at the bulb 9 increases. the thermosensitive medium in the tube system expands, causing the Bourdon spring to uncoil. The Bourdon spring elevates the link I4 which in turn raises the baille 24 from the nozzle 21. This separation of the baille and nozzle, reduces the back pressure at the nozzle and in the pipe 32 leading to the capsular chamber 33 of the relay valve 34. Therefore the chamber 33 tends to collapse, thereby tending to open the valve 34. The valve under this action oi the baille'and nozzle, as it tends to open, supplies compressed air from pipe 28 'to the pipe I6 and to the connected diaphragm motor of the valve 1. Valve 1 tends to close, thereby reducing the amount of steam introduced into the bath. `A drop,A in temperature at the bulb 3 operates the 'portion of the mechanism thus far described, in the same manner but in the reverse sense.

In many installations of the mentioned mechanism, the delay intervening between a change t in the amount of heat introduced into the bath ment case indicated in the drawing by the dotted rectangle C. The temperature withinthe bath is sensed by a bulb 3 projecting into the bath.

This bulb together with capillary tube I3 andA pivot I3 so that it draws on the circular chart 20,

a graph corresponding to the temperature prevailing at the bulb 3. The chart of which only a fragment is illustrated, is rotated in accordance with the passage of time by a clock motor (not shown). At an intermediate point 22 on the link I4, there is pivotally mounted a baille lever 23 which is provided with ,a baille 24. The free ond `and the sensing oi the resulting temperature change, causes the mechanism to hunt about the control point or desired temperature.

In order to overcome this tendency for the mechanism to hunt, sensitivity reducing means as disclosed in the mentioned patent, is provided.A This means comprises a spring type bellows 36 having its lower end ilxed at 31 and having its other end movable. The movable end of bellows carries an arm 39 xed thereto and to the nozzle 21. Thus the bellows asit expands or contracts, as the case may be, will raise or lower the nozzle 21 with respect to the baille 24. Since it was assumed that there was a temperature increase at the baille, the baille initially was moved away from the nozzle. In response to this action the relay valve 34 tended to open, increasing the air pressure in pipe 16 tending to close valve 1. The-increase in air pressure in pipe 16 is communicated through branch pipe 40 to the interior of the bellows 36. This causes the bellows to expand and through the arm 39, tends to raise the nozzle toward the baille. Inasmuch as the original temperature change moved the baille away from the nozzle to increase the space therebetween, the follow-up action o! the bellows 36, just described. tends to move the nozzle toward the baille to reduce the space therebetween. with the consequent throttling of relay valve 34. As a result oi' this follow-up action, the amount of the correction made due to the temperature change, is reduced as compared with the correction that would have resulted in the absence of bellows 36 and its arm 39. This reduction in the amountof correction effected Vas a result of the follow-up action, is commonlyreferred to as sensitivity reduction.

A controller incorporating both types of control, as just described, is adequate for many installations but under certain dilcult operating conditions such a controller fails to hold the temperature of the bath at the ,desired control point. In order to prevent such failure, the controller may have incorporated therein means to provide a supplemental control action known as reset. 'I'he effect of this reset action is to cancel out the sensitivity reduction gradually.

until the controller restores the temperature of 'the bath to the desired value or set point. This reset action is effected by additional mechanism comprising a second spring type bellows 42 having its upper end xed at 43 and its lower movable end acting in opposition to movable end of bellows 36. The air pressure in pipes 16 and 40 is communicated through the pipe 40 and the adjustable needle valve 44 therein to the bellows 42. Thus, both the bellows 36 and the bellows 42 act on the arm 39 to position the nozzle 21, until the pressures in the two bellows are equalized. The adjustment of the needle valve 44 determines the promptness with which the bellows 42 cancels out the sensitivity reduction or followup of the bellows 36.

In controllers of this type. there is provided a set pointer such as 45 which is pivoted at 46 so that it can be manually adjusted with respect to a graduated scale to select the given temperature or set point at which the bath will be maintained. In practice, as well as in the disclosure of the mentioned patent, the pivot I9 oi' the pen arm I8 and the pivot 46 of the set pointer 45 are mounted in alinement so the chart 20 serves as a graduated scale for both. However, in the present diagrammatic showing, the pen arm and set pointer have been illustrated in sideby-side relation for clearness in disclosure. instead oi' in superimposed relation as in actual practice.

In former control arrangements where a control panel was located at a remote point with respect to bath 5 or other process to be controlled, the recorder controller mechanism similar to that enclosedwithin the rectangle C, wasllocated at the control panel. Only the control valve such as 1 in the steam line and the bulb 9 were curred at the bulb 9.

In accordance with the present invention, not only the bulb 9 and the motor valve 'I are 1ocated at the process but also the mechanism oi the recorder-controller within the recangle C, are located at theprocess. I'he capillary I3 and a bellows 52 at the distant recorder-controller.

. second gauge 51.

the pipe 'I6 can, therefore, be made as short as desired. However, means are provided at the control panel, illustrated at the right o! the broken line, for remotely changing the set point of the recorder-controller and for pneumatically providing at the control panel an indication not only of the position of the set pointer but also the position of the pen I8. In order to change the adjustment of the set pointer 45 by remote control, there is provided at the control panel a source of compressed air supplied through pipe 48 and thence through the manually adjustable reducing valve 50 and pipe 5I to the interior of A pressure gauge 53 responsive to the air pressure in pipe 5I, is provided with a graduated temperature scale 54 similar to that at the recorder-controller C so that the needle 55 of the gauge 53 repeats the position of the set-pointer 45 at the controller C. The upper end of the bellows 52 is attached to a support 51 while the lower or movable end thereof is pivotally connected at 18-to the link 26. As the pressure in pipe 5I and in the bellows 52 increases, the needle 55 of the gauge 53 moves clockwise to indicate the new set point and the bellows 5'1 tends to expand. This action of the bellows forces the link 26 downward. The downward movement of the link swings the set pointer 45 about its pivot 46 until this pointer assumes a new set point position the same as that indicated by the needle 55 at the gauge 53.

The position of the pen I8 of the recorder-controller C, is repeated at the control panel by a This gauge is provided with a needle 58 movable over a scale 51', graduated in accordance with possible positions of pen Il. The gauge 51 is actuated by the variation in pressure in the pipe 59 which leads to the controller C where the pressure is varied in accordance with the position of pen I8. This result is achieved by the following mechanism. It has been mentioned that the upper end of the link I4 is provided with a horizontally projecting pin I5. This pin supports one end of a baille lever 68 which has its other end pivoted at 6I on the lower or movable end of the bellows 62. Bellows 62 has its upper end secured to the ilxed support 63 and has its interior communicating with pipe 59. 'Ihe baille lever is provided at an intermediate point with a baiiie 64 which cooperates with a xed nozzle 65. Compressed air is supplied through pipe 28 and the orice 66' to the nozzle where it escapes under the control of the baule 64. When the upper end oi' the link I4 is raised as results when the Bourdon springIZ uncoils in response to an increase in temperature at the bulb 9, the pen arm I9 is moved clockwise to record a higher temperature on the chart 28 and the pin I5 raises the lett end ot the baille lever 68. 'Ihis movement of the lever lifts the baille 64 away from the nozzle 65 so that there is a drop in the back pressure at the nozzle and in the pipe 66 communicating with capsular chamber 61. In response to this drop in pressure, the chamber tends to open the relay valve 68 so that increased air pressure is supplied from pipe 28. through relay valve 68 and branch pipe 69 which communicates with pipe 59 leading to the gauge 51 at the control-panel. The pressure in the pipe 59 is proportional to the temperature deviation at the bulb 9 so that the needle` 58 of the gauge 51 will assume a position corresponding the position of the pen arm I8 which is also moved proportionally to the temperature deviation. It will be noted that the pipe 58 communicates with the bellows G2, so-that when the pressure in the pipe Il increases due to the mentioned separation netween the baille I4 and bellows il. the bellows l2 expands. As a result of this expansion. the right end ot the baille lever 6l is lowered to reducethe original separation oi the baille and nozzle in response to the temperature deviation. Here also is provided a follow-up action similar to that already described so that spacing between the baille 64 and nozzle Il. during periods of stability, will be' .0015 of an' inch. throughout the range oimovement of the pen arm Il.

It will be understood that the present disclosure is given by way of example only. and that: there v can be various changes and modiilcations thereof within the scope o! the appended claims. without departing from the spirit of thepresent invention.

What I4 claim is: l. In a pneumatically operated condition conmessage etl'ective in response to deviations in a condition A in said unitfrom a control point, as sensed at said troller for .maintaining a condition at a desired f set point,A means for sensing deviations in said condition from said set point, a pneumatic couple comprising a relatively movable nozzle supplied with compressed air or the like and a baille for variably obstructing the escape oi compressed air baille and nozzle in response to each deviation, al

relay valve Aoperated by said back pressure, a pneumatically operated member for applying a medium to correct the deviation in saidcondition,

meansincluding said relay valve for applying r compressed air at controlled pressures to said member, a`second pneumatic couple comprising al relatively movable nozzle supplied with compressed air or the like and a baille for variably obstructing the escape of lcompressed air through said nozzle and thereby varying the back pressure at said nozzle, means including said sensing means for changing the spacing between said baille and nozzle oi.' said second couple in response to said deviation. a second relay valve having an outlet and actuated by said last-mentioned -back pressure, for supplying to said outlet compressed air at controlled pressures, means including a bellows responsive to said last-mentioned controlled pressures to reduce the change in the space relation between said baille and said nozzle oi said second couple, due to any given deviation in said condition, a remote station provided with a pneumatically operated condition indicator, and a pipe extending between said outlet and said indicator. l

2. In a' control system, a processing unit, a pipe for a processing medium connected to said unit, a pneumatically operated motor valve controlling the passage of the medium through said pipe, a control pipe communicating with the motor of said valv a single sensing means responsive to changes in the condition in said unit, a pneumatically operated control mechanism effective in response to deviations in the condition in said unit from a given set point, as sensed by said sensing means for supplying operating compressed air through said control pipe to the motor of saidfvalve to correct for said deviations, said control mechanism being provided with pneumatically operated adjustable set point means whereby the value of the condition to be maintained in said unit can be selected at will, a remote station, means at said station for selective- 1y pesitionimz said set point means at will. pneuunit, for supplying operating air pressure to said valve. said control mechanism being provided with' pneumatically operated adjustable set point means, wherebythe value of the condition to be maintained in lsaid unit can bey selected .at will.

Ia pneumaticcouple comprising a relatively movable nozzle supplied with compressed air or the like and a bame for variablyl obstructing the escape of compressed air through said nozzle and thereby varying the back pressure at said nozzle..

means including condition sensing means for changing the spacing between said baille .I and nozzle in response to each condition deviation, a relay valve having an outlet and actuated by said back pressure. for supplying to said outlet compressed air at controlled pressures, means including a bellows responsive to said last-mentioned controlled pressures to reduce the change in the space relation between said baille and said nozzle oi' said couple, due to any given deviation in said condition, a remote. station. means at said .station for applying compressed air at selected pressures to said set point means to adjust the same at will, pneumatically operated indicating means atsaid station for showing the varying value of the condition sensed by said mechanism, and a pipe connecting the outlet of said relay valve to said indicating means. the outlet air pressure of said relay as applied through said pipe being the sole operating medium of said indicating means. fi. In a pneumatically operated condition controlling system for maintaining a condition at a given set point, a controller including pneumatically-operated set point means and means for sensing deviations in said condition from said set point, a pneumatic couple comprising a relatively movable nozzle supplied with compressed air or the like and a baille for variably obstructing the escape of compressedv air through said nozzle thereby varying the back pressure at said nozzle, means including said"N sensing means for changing the spacing between said baille and nozzle in response to each deviation. a relay` valve operated by said back pressure, a pneumatically operated member for applying amedium to correct the deviation in said condition, means including said relay valve for applying compressed air at controlled pressures to said member, means including a bellowsresponsive to each controlled 1 pressure to reduce the change in the spacing beganas cures to said set point means to adjust the same at will. 5. In a pneumatically operated condition controlling system for maintaining a condition at a desired set point, a controller including pneumatioally-operated set point means and means for sensing deviations in said condition from said set point, a pneumatic couple comprising a relatively movable nozzle supplied with compressed air or the like and a baie for variably obstructing the escape of compressed air through said nozzle thereby varying the back pressure at said nozzle, means including said sensing means i'or changing the spacing between said baille and nozzle in response to each deviation, a relay valve operated by said back pressure, a pneumatically operated member for applying a medium to correct the deviation in said condition, means including said relay valve for applying compressed air at controlled pressures to said member, means including a bellows responsive to each controlled pressure to reduce the change in the rspacing between said bailie and said nozzle due to any given deviation in said condition, a second bellows tending to oppose the action of said first mentioned bellows, means for applying each controlled pressure through a restricted passage to the interior of said bellows, a remote station provided with a pneumatically operated condition indicator, a pipe extending between said controller and said indicator, and transmitting means including said pipe for applying to said indicator compressed air at pressures proportional to the value of the condition, said indicator being operated solely in response to changes in pressure of said last-mentioned compressed air, and means at said remote station for applying compressed air at selected pressures to said set point means' to adjust the same at will. y

6. In a pneumatically operated condition controlling system for maintaining a condition at a desired set point, a controller including means for sensing deviations in said condition, from said set point, a pneumatic couple comprising a relatively movable nozzle supplied with compressed air or the like and a baille for variably obstructing the escape of compressed air through said nozzle thereby varying the back pressure at said nozzle,

means including said sensing means for changing the spacing between said baille and nozzle in rcsponse to each deviation, a relay valve operated by said back pressure, a pneumatically operated member for applying a medium to correctvthe deviation in said condition, means including said relay valve for applying compressed airat conftrolled pressures to said member, means including a bellowsresponsive to each controlled pressure to reduce the change in the spacing between said baille and said nozzle due to any given deviation in said condition, a second bellows tending to oppose the action ot said iirst mentioned bellows, means tor applying `such controlled pressure through a restricted passage to the interior of said bellows, a second pneumatic couple comprising a relatively movable nozzle supplied with compressed air or the like and a baille for variably obstructing the escape of compressed air through said nozzle and thereby varying the back pressure at said nozzle, means including said sensing means for changing the spacing between said baille and nozzle of said second couple in response to said deviation, a second relay valve having an outlet and actuated by said last-mentioned back pressure, for supplying to said outlet compressed air at controlled pressures, means including a bellows responsive to said last-mentioned controlled pressures to reduce the change in the space relation between said baille and said nozzle of said second couple. due to any given deviation in said condition, a remote station provided with a pneumatically operated condition indicator, a pipe extending between said outlet and said indicator.

GEORGE E. HOWARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of ,record in the file oi' this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 19.276 Wunsch Aug. 14, 1934 2,205,930 Otto June 25, 1940 2,223,712 Ziebolz Dec. 3, 1940 2,312,201 Thompson Feb. 23, 1943 2,361,885 Tate O'ct. 3l, 1944 

